Dri… recipes

Cherry and almond Christmas cake: maraschino cherries, apricots, ginger, and almonds macerated in amaretto and brandy, baked into a lighter apple-puree batter, then soaked in more amaretto. A boozy, fruit-packed festive cake that keeps for a month.

Hearty herb oatmeal bread with sage, basil, dill, pine nuts, and three kinds of seeds baked in a clay pot for a crackling crust. A rustic yeast bread with real depth.

Chicken pasta salad with fusilli, steamed zucchini, tomatoes, Greek olives, and pine nuts, all tossed in a garlicky basil vinaigrette. A bright, hearty summer dish ready in 30 minutes.

Homemade vegetarian breakfast sausage patties made from bulgur wheat, gluten flour, and nutritional yeast with sage, paprika, and tamari. Pan-fried or baked until crispy outside, tender within.

Filipino-style caldereta: vinegar-marinated lamb braised with dried chiles, cinnamon, peppercorns, potatoes, bell pepper, and green olives. A rich, spiced stew that fills the house with warmth.

Bread machine toffee nut wheat bread loaded with crunchy pecans, brown sugar, and a hint of coffee. Dump it in, press start, and fill the house with that warm, toasty aroma.

Overnight apple-orange coffee cake: a yeast-raised cake topped with juicy apples, raisins, and orange zest, then drizzled with orange glaze. Mix the night before, bake fresh in the morning.

Homemade bourbon barbecue sauce with molasses, ketchup, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, and dry mustard simmered until thick and smoky. A rich, complex glaze for ribs, chicken, or brisket.

General Tso's chicken double-fried until crispy, tossed with blackened dried chilies, garlic, and ginger in a soy-sherry-vinegar sauce. Restaurant-style Chinese takeout made from scratch.

Apricot-orange whole grain muffins plump dried apricots in fresh orange juice, then fold them into a buttermilk batter built on whole wheat pastry flour and toasted wheat germ. Hearty, tangy breakfast fuel.

Steak and shrimp wonton filling with marinated beef, lemon-kissed shrimp, water chestnuts, and cilantro. A surf-and-turf twist for fried or boiled dumplings.

Grilled pizza with oat-flour crust, fresh Roma tomatoes, basil, bell pepper, and melted mozzarella. Homemade dough grills in minutes with a smoky charred crust.

Herb-oatmeal bread baked in a clay pot with sage, basil, pine nuts, poppy seeds, and sesame. A crusty, hearty loaf with whole wheat and sour cream in the dough.

Slow-braised shredded beef chuck in a spicy, tangy sauce with taco sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and chili powder, piled high on soft buns. Feeds eight hungry people and takes about 4 hours.

Low cal crab dip blended from reduced-fat cream cheese, light sour cream, sharp cheddar, fresh crab meat, and a kick of horseradish. The lighter take on a party staple, no oven required.

Slow cooker chicken drumsticks diable simmered in a sweet-and-spicy tomato sauce with chili powder, dry mustard, Worcestershire, and a hit of hot sauce. Spooned over spaghetti for an easy weeknight dinner.